The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

The appellation of the Masse.

The communion of the Eucharist at this time to be called Missa. It is twise found in S. Augustine, namely, in his Sermon of Time, 237, wherein hauing exhorted men to pardon in∣iuries done to one another, saith: You must come to the Masse of the Catechumenes. There we pray: Pardon vs our offences, as wee pardon them which wee haue offended, &c. And in an other Sermon 91. he saith; In the historie which is read at Masses, &c. Many doubt whether these Sermons bee S. Augustines. But Peter Martir a Diuine of Zurike saith,* 1.1 the stile and sentences seeme to bee S. Augustines. I am of opini∣on saith he, that in that time of S. Augustine it beganne one∣ly to bee vsurped. For if it had beene vsuall, S. Augustine would haue oftner made mention of it: seeing hee vsed to applye his Sermons after the common manner of speech.

Iohn Cassian liued in this time vnder the Emperour

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Honorius. The heretikes chased him from the Church of Ie∣rusalem: hee came to Marcellis and liued there a Monastike life.

* 1.2The word Masse is found in his writings, Lib. 3. Chap. 7. and 8. but in an other signification then for the holy Commu∣nion; that is, for the accomplishment and the ende of the con∣gregation of the faithfull. For speaking of the sleepe of Monkes, he saith. Being contented with the time that is permitted to them to sleepe: that is, from the Masse of the Ʋigiles vntill the light of the day, &c. vnderstanding by these words, the time wherein they ended the Vigiles.

* 1.3As for the deriuation of the name, euen as the La∣tine Doctors which were before this age, vsed the word (Remissa) for remission. Tertullian Lib. 4. against Martion in the leafe 24. and Ciprian in his booke of the good of patience, so it seeemeth afterward they said Missa for Missio, or Demissio, that is, sending away, when the Catechumenes went out of the Temple. For after the holy scripture was read in the assem∣bly, and that the Sermon was done, the Deacon with a loude voyce pronounced Goe: or goe out Cathechumenes. After this,* 1.4 the Cathechumenes went out with the Euergumenes; that is to say, they which were handled with euil spirits: and thirdly such as did penance.

Dionisius in his Hierarchie makes mention of these orders, and so the Latine Church called the celebration of the Eucha∣rist Messe, because it was done after the dimission or sending away of the Catechumenes and such as were not capable to bee admitted therevnto. And in this signification, Ambrose saith Missas facere,* 1.5 for sending or letting goe. This is the opinion of Peter Martir in his Commentaries vpon the Iudges.

Some haue said that the word Missa was deriued of the Hebrew word Mas, because the gifts which the faithfull offe∣red, were said to be presents and sent. And the occasion hereof came of the oblations which the Iewes offered at their feast of Pentecost.

If it were so, the Papists abused the word Masse: for they will not name it of the almes and gifts which are giuen there: but of the oblation they make of the body and bloud of Christ for the quick and dead. P. Martyr.

Catechumenes,* 1.6 signified such as were instructed in the faith and were not yet baptized. The word is deriued from the Greeke word which signifieth to teach, especially by liuely voyce. Tertullian calleth them sometimes Hearers or Auditors. Augustine calleth them Competitors. For before they were admitted to be baptised at Easter, they gaue vp their names 40. dayes before. During which time, the Pastors not onely got information of their faith and doctrine, but also of theyr life. P. Martir.

The Papistes, Apes of antiquitie, had it in custome to send their children to schoole in Lent.

Rufin before named, French by Nation, tempted with pride, sent presents and siluer to Alarike King of Gothes, and stirred him to raise vp warre against Archadius, perswading him that that young Prince affrighted would leaue him the Em∣pire. His practise was dicouered, and Stilico pursued him. The souldiers cut off his head and his right hand, and after carried them into Constantinople for a shewe. See Pomp. Laet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In his Com∣mentary vpon the Iudges.
• * 1.2

  Contenti som∣no qui a missa vigiliarū vs{que} ad lucem con∣ceditur, ctc.
• * 1.3

  Remissa pee∣catorū, for remission of sinnes.
• * 1.4

  Euergumenes
• * 1.5

  Missas facere, to let goe.
• * 1.6

  Catechume∣nes which were not yet baptised. Auditors Competitors.